Alotau

At the Foot of the Milne Bay Hills

The capital of Milne Bay Province, Alotau is the easternmost town in Papua New Guinea, close to the volcanic D'Entrecasteaux islands in the Solomon Sea.

Alotau’s recent past is inextricably linked to fighting between the Australian and Japanese during the Second World War, and it is still possible to see the battlefields and memorials like the Turnbull War Memorial Park or the stele dedicated to fallen Australian soldiers.

On leaving your MSC cruise ship, you will discover that Alotau is just a small town situated at the foot of lush green hills, with less than 20,000 inhabitants. You will have the opportunity to take a trip up into the hills, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the town and the immense Bay that gave its name to the province. The houses are low with tin roofs and the sand is dark because of its volcanic origin.

The Massime Museum and the Cultural Centre house exhibitions dedicated to 400 years of Alotau’s history. During your MSC cruise you can enter in contact with the local population, visiting the places that are part of their daily lives and enjoying performances of traditional dances to the rhythm of Kundu drums or watching canoe races.